Condenser



Aug. 8, 1933. J. R. REPLOGLE vCONDENSER Original Filed Dec. 26, 1931 MMWR INVENTOR J'b?? 75. eploZe.

NETE@ The invention relates to refrigerating mechanisrns and it has particular relation to improve-- ment in a condenser which ordinarily constitutes a part of a refrigerating system. More particularly the invention constitutes a division of my co-pending application for patent relating to refrigerating mechanism, Serial No. 523,238, filed December 26, 1931.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved form of condenser by means of which water or other cooling medium may more efliciently be employed for the purpose of absorbing heat from compressed refrigerant delivered from a compressor, to the end that condensation of the refrigerant may more efficiently be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of condenser which may be assembled with a hollow base for supporting other parts of the refrigerating mechanism, in an economical and efficient manner, so thatV expense of manufacture will be reduced appreciably.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sectional type of condenser which may be rapidly assembled and disassembled so that access may be had to any part thereof Without difficulty whenever this is necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved condenser of this character for receiving compressed refrigerant, and circulating coils for Water or other cooling medium, the latter being adapted to absorb a considerable amount of heat from the compressed refrigerant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a condenser of the last mentioned characte in which all ingress and discharge openings both for the refrigerant and cooling medium are provided in one member located accessibly, so that manipulation or any other operation necessary with respect to any of the connections, may be made without difficulty and Without obstructive interference. V.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the drawing relating thereto and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the inventionreference may be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a refrigerant condenser constructed according to one form of the invention, the line of cross section being substantially midway between the ends of the condenser.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional ll/iliel'i., assigner .to a oi View of the condenser by 1, and taken substantially along the line 2--2 thereof.

Referring to the drawing, an elongated hollow base l@ is provided which has a plurality .of legs 11 for securing t e base to a floor or other suitable 60 support. The lovJer side Wall portions of the base may be cut away, as indicated at 13, and the end Walls may be cut away in this manneralso, to facilitate circulation or" air through and withinA the base, A ring 14 is provided within the base, 65 centrally thereof, and at its Lipper side has oppositelf disposed projecting portions 15 and 16 shown by Fig. l, located in the plane of the ring and which terminate transversely projecting arms 17 and 18 shown by Fig. These arms are 70 secured against the underside oi the upper Wall of the 'oase 10 by means of bolts 19 and consequentiy the latter suspend the ring from the upper wall of the base. 'f

rThe base between the bolts securing the arms 17 and 18 thereto, is provided with an opening 20 which allows the ring 14 to partially project .through the upper Wall of the baseand permits ingress of conduits which will more specifically be set forth hereinafter. The condenser within 80 the hollow base 10 is secured to the ring 14 and comprises shells 22 and 23 extending respectively, j from opposite sides of the ring to points adjacent the respective ends of the rbase 10 and in spaced relation to the'walls thereof and to the floor or other Wall upon which the base may be mounted. The shells are closed except for open ends adjacent the ring 14 and at the open ends thereof are providedwith annular, outwardly directed flanges 24 and 25 respectively, which abut the opposed sides of the ring. These flanges and hence the shells 22 and 23 are secured to the ring 14 by means of a series of circumferentially spaced bolts 26 extendingV through the ring and through the anges. One end of each bolt is provided with an integral head 27 and the other end thereof is provided Witha removable nut 28 and between the iianges 24 and 25 and the head 2'7 and nuts 28, spacer rings 30 are provided on the bolts for the purpose of more securely clamping the flanges to the ring. The spacer rings also force the flanges tightly against the ring entirely around the periphery thereof and hence more positively seal the shells at their points of connection With the'ring. Sealing rings 31 may be used between the flanges and the ring 14 to secure a more perfeet seal.

As shown best by Fig. 1, a pipe 32 which extends from a refrigerant compressor, not shown, is connected to a nipple 33 threaded into that part of the ring 14 projecting through the opening 2O in the upper wall of the base, and from the nipple, an aperture 34 extending substantially in a radial direction through the ring operatively connects the pipe 32 to the interior of the condenser and hence the interior of the assembled shells 22 and 23. Adjacent the nipple 33, a second aperture 35 is provided in the ring 14 in communication with the interior of the condenser and this aperture at its outer end is sealed by a fusible plug 35 for releasing the refrigerant in the condenser should the latter become excessively heated or the temperature become excessive around the condenser. ring 14 is provjded with a threaded boss 37 and ordinarily a pipe (not shown) will be so connected to the boss and extended to the exterior of the building in which the refrigerator mechanism is located that the refrigerant, when released by the plug 36, may escape to the exterior of the building.

Liquid refrigerant is removed from the condenser by means of a tube 40 secured at one end in an aperture 4l extending through the ring 14 between the flanges 24 and 25 on the shells 22 and 23, which at its other and inner end is so bent downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom wall of the condenser that the lower extremity of `the tube normally will be submerged in the liquid refrigerant. The outer end of aperture 4l is in registry with a valve connection 42 secured to the ring 14 and from such valve connection a pipe (not shown) may extend to an evaporator expansion valve (not shown). From this same valve, another pipe may extend to a valve for connecting the pipe to the interior of a compressor base adapted to receive refrigerant from the discharge side of the evaporator, upon opening of the valve for this purpose.

The ring 14 is provided with a second aperture l44 located above the aperture 41, which also communicates with the interior of the condenser and normally with that space above the liquid refrigerant. A valve connection 45 on the ring 14 above the valve connection 42 and in registry with the opening 44, is adapted to be connected to a pipe (not shown) extending to a high pressure cut-out in turn adapted to control a switch governing operation of a motor constituting a part of a compressor. Adjacent the valves 42 and 45, the side wall of base 10 has an opening 47 to permit ready access to the valves for manipulation purposes.

The foregoing description has related entirely to the circulation of the refrigerant through the condenser. In condensing gaseous refrigerant, however, considerable heat is generated during compression `of the gas, and to reduce the highly compressed gas to a liquid in the condenser, it is desirable to remove the heat as quickly as possible to accelerate liquefaction. In the instant invention this is effected particularly by absorbing heat from the gas in the condenser through the use of a water circulating system which will now be described.

1t will be noted that the ring 14 on its inner periphery and adjacent its upper side is provided with an inwardly offset yoke 48 which has an aperture 49 that permits the entrance of the refrigerant from pipe 32 into the condenser. This yoke serves as a support for an elongated channel member 50 secured thereto by bolts 51, and which extends through the ring 14 and to opposite ends of the condenser and hence to points adjacent'the ends of shells 22 and 23. Within Around the plug 36, thev the shell 22, the member 50 serves as a support for a coil 52 extending substantialiy throughout the length of the shell while similarly in shell 23 the member 50 serves as a support for a coil 53. The coil in each of the shells, spirals longitudinally around the member 50 until it is adjacent to the outer end of the shell and then is reversely spiraled in a spiral of larger iarneter around the periphery of the first coil, as indicated at 54. Preferably, both of the coils in each shell constitute a single length of pipe and the open ends of the pipe are located adjacent ther ring 14.

Arranging the coils in the condenser in the manner described is advantageous because heat is absorbed uniformiy from the refrigerant throughout the length of the coil. The temperature of the water in the inner coil will gradually increase from the inlet, to the outer end thereof and then continue to increase gradually in the outer coil to the outlet thereof. Hence, the high and low water temperatures are at one point in the coil while along the latter toward the outer ends of the condenser, the temperature increases in one coil while decreasing in the other. At any point along the coils, the average temperature of the water in both coils will be about the same.

The outer coil 54 is supported by a member 56 extending over the inner coil and longitudinally of the member 5G, and which at opposite ends of the coil secured by means of bolts 57 to such member 5) but in spaced relation thereto. The cuter coil maintained in position by means of a strap 58 extending longitudinally thereof and over the coil, which at opposite ends is also secured to the member 50 by the bolts 57. As an additional means. for supporting the member 50 channel-shaped members 60 secured to opposite ends of the member .i0 by means of the bolts 57, extend obliquely and downwardly toward the ring 14 .and are secured at their' lower ends to the latter by means of a bolt 61. Y

rhe ends of the inner coils in the respective shells 22 and 23 extend from opposite sides of the ring 14 into an opening 63 formed in a projection 64 on the inner periphery of the ring and such aperture intermediate its ends communicates with a second aperture 65 extending to the outer periphery of the ring. A nipple 66 is threaded into the aperture 65 and a conduit 66 connected to the nipple serves as a means for conducting water into the inner coils. The ends of the outer' coils and hence the exit ends of the water circulating system in the condenser, are connected similarly to a projection 67 on the inner periphery of the ring 14 which has a similar aperture 63 operatively connected to a nipple 69 on the outer periphery of the ring which is connected in turn to a water discharge pipe 70. Consequently, water iiows through pipe 66', through the inner coils to the remote ends of the shells 22 and 23 and then iiows reversely through the outer coils again to the ring 14 and then through the discharge pipe '70. This circulating water serves as a means for absorbing heat from the highly compressed refrigerant in the condenser and hence accelerates liquefying the refrigerant.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the drawing, that the condenser is of sectional character and that the different parts thereof may be assembled Without diiculty and the condenser then connected to the upper wall of the base 10oy the bolts 19. It will be apparent that all of the fluid connections are on the ring 14 and that particularly the refrigerant connections and valves are readily accessible through the openings and e7 in the upper and side walls of the base l() respectively. This is very advantageous because it is occasionally necessary to adjust or otherwise manipulate the refrigerant valves and, since they are located in one place, namely, on the ring lli, and accessible through openings in the base provided for this purpose, any manipulation that may be necessary may be easily made. t is furthermore apparent that the arrangement of the water circulating coils is such that the effective temperature for absorbing heat from the refrigerant is substantially the same at any point throughout the length of the coils. It is also apparent that the base is so constructed that air may circulate readily in and around the inside thereof and consequently around the shells of the'condenser to 'further increase the eiliciency of heat dissipation from the refrigerant,

While only one form oi the invention has been disclosed and illustrated in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sectional condenser comprising shells having adjacent open ends, a ring between such ends of the shells, means for connecting the shells to the ring, a coil in the condenser, means cooperating with the ring and coil for connecting the latter to a cooling fluid line exterior to the condenser, and means cooperating with the ring for conducting refrigerant into and out of the condenser.

2. In combination, a ring, a coil extending away from the ring, means supporting the coil on the ring, said ring having passageways disposed substantially in its plane and opening to the outer periphery thereof, and means connecting the ends of the coil to the ring to allow circulation of huid through the coil and such passageways.

3. A heat interchange device comprising shells having open ends adjacent, a member between the shells and connecting them, a coil connected at one end to said member and extending longitudinally of the shells and then in a reversed spiral and having its other end connected to said member, and means on the member for connecting such ends of the coil to an exterior fluid line.

4. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, an annular member disposed between the open ends of the shells, means releasably connecting said shell ends and the member to provide a closed drum, means on the member for conducting a heat absorbing fluid into and out of the drum, means also on the member' for conducting a fluid to be cooled into and out of the drum, and means in the drum and connected to one of said fluid conducting means for circulating one fluid in the drum, out of direct communication with the other fluid.

5. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, a member disposed between the open ends of the shells, means releasably connecting said shell ends and the member to provide a closed drum, means on the member for conducting a heat absorbing iiuid into and out of the drums, means also on the member for conducting a iluid to be cooled into and out of the drum, and a coil in the drum and connected at its end to one of said fluid conducting means, for circulating one fluid in the drum, out of communication with the other.

6. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, a member disposed between the open ends of the shells, means releasably connecting said shell ends and the member to provide a closed drum, means on the member for conducting a heat absorbing fluid into and out of the drum, means also on the member for conducting a fluid to be cooled into and out of the drum, and a coil in the drum and connected at its end to one of said fluid conducting means, for circulating one iiuid in the drum out of communication with the other, said coil extending spirally in the drum in one direction and then in a reverse spiral in the other direction.

f 7. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, an annular member between the open ends of the shells and releasably connecting them to. form a closed drum, a fluid conducting line in the drum and having its'end connected to the member, means on said member for connecting ends of the iiuid line to exterior fluidconducting lines, and means on the member for conducting another huid into and out of the drum, all of said means being mounted on the member so that the shells can be removed without altering the remainder of the assembly.

8. A heat interchange device comprising `drum shells having their open ends adjacent, a ring between the open ends of the shells and releasably connecting them to ferm a closed drum, a iiuid conducting line in the drum and having its ends connected to said ring, means on said ring for connecting the ends of the iiuid line to exterior iluid conducting lines, and means on the ring for conducting another iluid into and out of the drum, all or" said means being mounted on the ring so that the shells can be removed without altering the remainder of the assembly.

9. A heat interchange device comprising a sectional drum having open ends adjacent, means between and connecting the ends of the sections,

a coil extending longitudinally of the drum, and

means secured to the iirst means and extending through the coil for supporting it.

l0. A heat interchange device comprising shells having their open ends adjacent, means between and connecting the ends of the shells, a coil extending longitudinally of the shells, means connecting the ends of the coil to the iirst means, means cooperating with the rst means and coil for connecting the ends of the latter to a fluid line exterior to the shells, and means on the rst means extending longitudinally through the coil for supporting it.

1l. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, a member between and connecting the ends of the shells to form a closed drum,ifluid conducting means on the member for conducting fluid into and out of the drum, and means on the member for securing it in a predetermined position independently of the shells.

i2. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent a member between and connecting the ends of the shells to form a closed drum, a coil in the drum supported by the member, means on the member for connecting ends of the coil to an exterior iiuid line, and means on the member for securing the drum in a predetermined position independently of the shells.

13. A heat interchange device comprising a cover casing, drum shells, a member connecting the drum shells to form a closed drum, and means on the member for conductingrfluid into and out of the drum, said cover casing having an opening adjacent the member for renderingsaid means accessible through the cover.

14. A heat interchange device comprising a cover casing, drum shells, a member connecting the drum shells to form a closed drum, meanson the member for conducting uidinto and out of the drum, and means on the member for securing it to the cover.

15. A heat interchange device comprising a cover casing, drum shells, a member connecting the drum shells to form a closed drum, means on the member for conducting huid into and out of the drum, and means on the member for securing it to the cover, said cover having an opening adjacent the member for rendering said rst means accessible through the cover.

16. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, an annular ring between the ends of the shells and releasably connecting them to form a closed drum, a coil in the drum landfsupported on the ring, means on the ring for connecting ends of the coil to a fluid line exterior to the drum, means on the ring forconducting another uid into and out of the drum, and means on the ring for supporting the drum in a predetermined position.

17. A heat interchange device comprising drum shells having their open ends adjacent, an annular ring between the ends of the shells and releasably connecting them to form a closed drum, a coil in the drum and supported on the ring, means on the ring for connectingl ends of the coil to a fluid line exterior to the drum, means on the ring for conducting another fluid into and out of the drum, a cover casing for the drum, and means on the ring for supporting the drum on the cover said cover having an opening adjacent' the ring for rendering the conducting means on the latter accessible through the cover.

JOHN R. REPLOGLE. 

